A Side-by-Side Comparison of Gas and Electric Grills

Charcoal is the dirtiest grilling fuel, but the cleanest-burning fuel might come as a surprise.

By Emily Main

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This or That?

That. Go with propane
Lugging a propane tank to your grill may feel like a hassle, but the planet will thank you for it. Natural gas is another efficient, clean-burning alternative, if your house is outfitted for it.

Keep things healthy for both the Earth and your family when you fire up the grill this weekend with a few other tips:

• Don’t get burned
Overly blackened burgers and chicken contain cancer-causing compounds called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which were recently found to increase risks for pancreatic cancer. And all that blackened soot adds pollution to the air.

• Consider a skewer
Buy organic meat, but use it as an accent, on, say, kabobs, rather than a main dish. You’ll cut your ecofootprint, and recent studies suggest cutting back on red meat can boost your heart health and protect your vision.